Federal Capture Director (Contract) - McLean, VA

Engagement type: Independent consultant, 1099 hourly.
Rate range: $100 - $500 per hour, based on experience and scope (three-tier band detailed below).
Time commitment: Part-time or fractional, scales with pipeline (typically 10-40 hrs/week).
Location: Remote with quarterly DC travel preferred.
Reports to: GovCon Division Lead.
A note from the founder
TWF has built the scaffolding for federal work. MBE certification, SAM.gov registration, two operational divisions ready to serve federal contracts, a credentialed bench, and signed commercial customers proving the operating model. What is missing is the capture function. This engagement is for the operator who knows how to walk a federal opportunity from first signal through awarded contract, and who wants to build that function inside a firm where it does not exist yet.
What is already built
The Wilkinson Firm is a workforce strategy and staffing firm headquartered across NC and Atlanta. We launched in April 2025 and are now in Year 2 of operations. Two operational divisions today (HR Advisory for the mental health industry, Premium Hospitality and Event Staffing). Government Contracting division being formally stood up this quarter. Three active staffing contracts in delivery. FY26 trajectory $425-525K. Zero loans, zero institutional debt. Defined path to $5M+ over the next 24 months.
Federal-relevant scaffolding:[- Two operational divisions ready to serve federal contracts in HHS-adjacent verticals (VA mental health programs, DoD behavioral health support, HHS workforce IDIQs) and hospitality (federal lodging, on-base food service, training facility F&B).
What you own

Federal opportunity identification and qualification across SAM.gov, GSA Schedules, agency forecasts, and prime/sub channels

Capture-to-proposal lifecycle: opportunity assessment, teaming strategy, technical and price strategy, color-team reviews, submission readiness

Capture playbook documentation: pursuit criteria, gate reviews, win themes, ghosting strategy, competitive analysis

Prime and sub partner relationships and government POC management

Set-aside strategy and certification work (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB) in coordination with the GovCon Division Lead

Pipeline visibility and reporting to firm leadership

Coaching the Proposal Manager and Federal Account Executive seats as they come online

Engagement structure
Hourly consulting rate, three tiers calibrated to experience and scope:

Foundational ($100-200/hr): Capture managers with 5-8 years experience, ramping into a director role

Director ($200-350/hr): Established capture directors with documented win history on $1M+ contracts

Principal ($350-500/hr): Senior capture principals with multi-million-dollar award history and Tier 1 prime experience

Engagement is hourly. Time commitment scales with pipeline activity, typically 10-40 hours per week. Win-based bonus stack negotiable on top of hourly rate for awarded contracts the engagement materially drove.
Success milestones

Day 30: Capture playbook drafted. Pursuit gate criteria documented. Initial pipeline of 10+ qualified opportunities.

Day 90: 2-4 active captures in formal pursuit. First teaming agreements signed. Pipeline value $1M+.

Day 180: 2-4 proposals submitted. First award or shortlist position. Win rate baseline established.

Who you are

7-15 years in federal capture, proposal management, or BD for small to mid-size GovCon firms

Documented track record capturing $1M+ federal contracts

Shipley-trained or equivalent. SAM.gov fluent. Comfortable with FAR/DFARS terminology

Familiar with small business set-asides and the certification lifecycle

Past performance citations in workforce, HHS-adjacent, hospitality, or staffing services preferred

Comfortable building a function from scratch inside a founder-led firm

Located in DC, NC, GA, or willing to travel to DC quarterly

Bonus points

Prior role at a Tier 1 GovCon prime or boutique capture firm

Existing relationships at DoD, VA, HHS, GSA, or DHS

APMP credential

Track record of managed HUBZone or 8(a) certifications

How we will get to know each other

Initial 30-minute fit conversation with the GovCon Division Lead

Working session: walk through a real federal opportunity or proposal scenario we are actively considering

Reference checks (3+ professional references) and work history verification

Engagement letter, scope of work, and rate confirmation

Kickoff within 7 days of signed engagement

2-4 weeks first conversation to active engagement.
What we believe
Trust before revenue. Mission before money. Real seats, real upside. We build durable federal relationships through earned credibility. We win together. We pay people in real numbers, not pizza parties. We are building something great and we want partners who feel the same.
Application tips

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Find The Wilkinson Firm on LinkedIn

In your cover note, answer two questions: (1) what kind of GovCon engagement model works best for you (project-based, retained hours, hybrid), and (2) one example of a federal pursuit, proposal, or account you would point to as your strongest reference work

What to expect from us

Reply within 48 hours

First-round conversation within 7 days of qualification

Full process: 2-4 weeks

We tell you yes or no. We do not ghost.

Originally posted on Himalayas